Ferrets are strict meat-eaters. That means they need a diet consisting of meat. And while ferrets gain more popularity among the masses, more and more people are asking the same question:
Can ferrets eat Cheez-Its? The answer is NO! Ferrets should not eat Cheez-Its.
Why should Ferrets not Eat Cheez-Its?
As mentioned above, ferrets are obligate carnivores. They should not eat anything besides meat or animal-based products. According to Cheezit.com, the main ingredient of Cheez It is flour.
Flour is something our ferrets should absolutely stay away from! The digestive system of ferrets cannot handle corn, grains, and so on.
They do not gain any benefits from eating grains – they’re indigestible for ferrets.
Additionally, the seasoning and flavoring are also something our ferrets should altogether avoid.
Foods your Ferret Should Avoid
There are several foods that your furry friends should definitely avoid:
- Corn
- Grains
- Sugars
- Starchy foods like potatoes
- Dairy products
- salty foods
- Vegetables
- Fruits
While your furry friend may enjoy the taste, everything other than meat is (in most cases) wrong for your ferret as those foods do not provide the nutrients they need to survive and can cause health problems later on.
Vegetables
Yeah, you read that right—no veggies for your ferret. Ferrets should not eat vegetables. They can not digest the fiber.
Excess consumption of vegetables could lead to intestinal blockage and, in some cases, even to death. If you noticed your ferret eating more significant amounts of vegetables – make sure to pay closer attention to the litter box.
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If it remains empty for longer than eight hours, consult with your vet.
Fruits
Almost every ferret likes to steal a grape from you. And while small amounts of fruits and vegetables probably won’t hurt your ferret – you should be aware that fruits are not healthy for your ferret.
Fruits can cause health problems including, diabetes and cancer (insulinoma).
Fruits, vegetables, grains, and even fruit juices need to be avoided entirely in your ferret’s diet.
Diary Products
No milk or other dairy products for your furry friend! Ferrets are lactose intolerant. Extensive consumption of dairy products could lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and soft stools.
Generally speaking, if you immediately notice a significant behavior change – or if your ferret is showing signs of illness – see your vet.
Healthy Ferret Diet
A healthy ferret diet is not challenging to create because most products are readily available.
A bonus is that Ferrets eating a healthy diet usually are less smelly and live longer than ferrets on regular diets.
Make sure that your pet has enough protein and fat in its diet. For ferrets, the ratio is something like 35% protein and 15% fat. The protein and fat must be animal-based – ferrets should not eat soya beans as those would be toxic.
Avoid high fiber foods – they’re bad for your ferret’s digestive system and could lead to intestinal blockages.
Raw Diet
You can also try feeding your ferret a raw diet – but keep in mind that a raw diet can be more demanding to prepare.
Also, ferrets that were not fed with raw meat before might decline to eat it at first. Ferrets are imprinted to the foods they prefer by the age of approximately six months.
A lot of larger pet stores feed their kits with kibble only. You would need to introduce raw meat gradually to any ferret that has not been provided in a raw diet. Thus, mixing raw meat with the food the ferret is used to is recommended to make the transition easier.
Where can you get the food?
Meat is available at any market or supermarket. But you always have to be careful to avoid products that are not intended for consumption by ferrets.
Here are some excellent meat products you can feed your ferret daily:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- organs (liver)
- Beef
- bones (raw)
- Tuna/Salmon only occasionally
- eggs (sometimes)
There are various commercial meat mixes available that are excellent as well.
How often Should my Ferret eat?
Ferrets have short digestive tracts and should frequently eat – preferably 5-7 times per day.
If you suspect your ferret is getting sick, you can increase the frequency of meals accordingly.
As a pet owner, it is essential to pay attention to your ferret’s diet and adapt it if necessary by adding different kinds of meat or changing feeding habits whenever required by circumstances.
How Much Food does my Ferret Need?
Ferrets eat around 5-7% of their body weight daily. In the case of periods of diet transition, your ferret might need more or less food depending on factors like how long it has been on the new diet and whether it has adapted to it yet.
Your ferret will require greater quantities during growth, reproduction, and gestation. Also, the amount of food differs from ferret to ferret.
Summary
Can ferrets eat Cheez-Its? No. Cheez Its are made of flour, seasoning, and other additives. Ferrets should never eat any processed foods that, for the most part, consist of flour, grand, wheat, or seasoning. Instead, feed your ferret with a healthy raw meat diet and avoid most fruits and vegetables.
A healthy ferret diet is not challenging to create because most products are readily available.
If you pay attention to your pet’s health, you can prevent health problems from ever happening! And always consult your vet if you notice any changes in behavior or overall conditions of your furry one.